Jourdan W. Mattke, age 85, of WaKeeney, passed away Tuesday, October 27, 2015 at Trego Manor, WaKeeney.
Schmitt Funeral Home, WaKeeney, is handling arrangements.
Month: October 2015
Hays Dillons remodel underway at 27th and Hall grocery store
Video By Cooper Slough
By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
Dillons grocery stores have had a long history in Hays, but work underway at the 517 W. 27th location will leave a new look and expanded shopping options after the completion of a full-scale remodel.
“At Dillons, we’re very excited to be in the process of renovation for our store there,” said Sheila Lowrie, Dillons spokeswoman. “And we know our customers are going to be very excited to see the changes.”
Cosmetic upgrades in the store include new equipment, new signage and color scheme.
“The decorations beside the walls are all getting a facelift, which will bring a nice warm color scheme to the store with natural elements throughout,” Lowrie said. “It really makes the store feel warm and inviting.”
While some elements of the remodel can already been seen in the store, much more work is planned, expecting to run through the rest of the year.
Last week, the store saw new refrigerated units come in, the next piece to come in will be refrigerated units in the natural food section.
“Once were finished, it will feel like a brand-new store,” Lowrie said. “It brings in a lot of warm colors, so there’s greens, oranges, yellows and blues.”
Stenciling on the walls and fresh paint in areas already show the new color scheme.
While the look will be new to Hays, other locations have incorporated the style that will be used at the Hays location.
“If anyone shopped with us at our brand-new store on Cloud Street in Salina, it has this new decor package as well,” Lowrie said. “(The look) is one of my personal favorites when it comes to all the looks we’ve had in our stores.”
Along with the upgraded look, the store will offer expanded selections as well, most notably in the natural and organic food sections, something Lowrie said shoppers have been looking for across the chain.
“By offering these selections, we’re going to help our customers finds those products they are shopping for,” she said.
Dillons anticipates to have everything done by the end of the year, with a grand reopening celebration to be scheduled after the completion.
Bill Clinton to receive honor at the University of Kansas
LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Former President Bill Clinton is scheduled to receive the 2015 Dole Leadership Prize at the University of Kansas.
The Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics said Wednesday that Bill Clinton will receive the prize at the university on Nov. 23.
Dole, a former senator from Kansas, said in a statement that he speaks with Bill Clinton “now and then,” and that he and the former president have become friends. Clinton served as president from 1993 to 2001.
Previous winners of the The Dole Leadership Prize, which is awarded each year, include Nelson Mandela, former New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani and former President George H.W. Bush.
Police: Help needed to find a valuable bird
HUTCHINSON – Law enforcement authorities in Reno County are asking for assistance in finding a valuable, white Falcon.
This bird was lost in the Hutchinson area.
The owner Michael Garcia is in town from Illinois for a bird handler’s convention, according to police.
If you spot the bird, Garcia asks that you do not approach it.
Please call him at (630) 989-2323. Garcia is driving a maroon Toyota Pickup with Illinois license plate.
No city commission work session Thursday
City of Hays
October 29, 2015 is a fifth Thursday of the month; therefore, there will not be a Hays City Commission Work Session that evening.
Syphilis outbreak reported in Saline County
SALINA, Kan. (AP) — Health officials say Saline County is dealing with an outbreak of syphilis.
The Salina Journal reports that through June of this year Saline County did not have any reported cases of syphilis. But Jason Tiller, coordinator for the Saline County Health Department, says that in the past 75 days more than 11 cases have been reported in the county.
Tiller told Saline County commissioners Tuesday that officials think more cases of syphilis are going undiagnosed, and the department is trying to raise awareness.
Tiller says syphilis is a bacterial infection spread through sexual contact, and is easily treatable with antibiotics during the first year after infection. It can be treated later, but it’s more difficult to treat.
HaysMed institute offers sleep apnea home test, other services
HaysMed
Anyone who is wondering if sleep apnea may be the cause of a bad night’s sleep might be able to find answers with a home-testing device from Hays Medical Center.
HaysMed recently began offering this service, which has already become popular, said Bryan Noone, R.N., manager of the hospital’s Sleep & Neurodiagnostic Institute.
The institute is accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, which serves as a benchmark for quality, said Noone, a registered polysomnographic technologist. HaysMed voluntarily sought the accreditation.
“While some patients have their sleep study performed in our lab, those who might have obstructive sleep apnea may be eligible for the home test,” Noone commented. “This involves a small device they wear at home and return to us; it is specifically designed for diagnosing this condition.
“Our sleep physician will determine if it is highly likely you have moderate to severe sleep apnea,” he continued. “If you have no other significant medical conditions, the device may be the answer.”
Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder that causes breathing to stop and start repeatedly.
Noone, who also is a registered sleep technologist, emphasized that a home test is not designed to diagnose other sleep disorders. Testing for those conditions usually is performed at the institute. For example, a daytime nap test could be used to diagnose narcolepsy. “Another test is designed to document the effectiveness of treatment and measure a patient’s ability to stay awake,” Noone said. “This is important for people in occupations such as commercial driving and aviation.”
Other services include patient education about sleep issues, which Noone said could be the most valuable service the institute provides.
“We love to help folks having sleep problems,” Noone explained. “Sometimes the answer is as simple as suggesting changes in their habits, which can dramatically improve the situation.”
Anyone who is hesitant to be tested at home or the institute should consider the importance of getting a good night’s rest, Noone added. “Just think about the amount of time you spend sleeping,” he elaborated. “By the time you are 60, you should have spent about 20 of those years asleep. It is as vital to overall health as a balanced diet and exercise.”
Chronic sleep loss can lead to an increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke. It also can cause mood swings, and a decreased ability to handle stress, anxiety and mental exhaustion.
“We also know that memory consolidation and physical healing of the body take place during sleep,” Noone said. “A good night’s sleep just makes us feel good.”
Noone also pointed out that the institute’s accommodations are comparable to a hotel room. Each room has a full-sized, adjustable bed, and a recliner, television and DVD player. “We also offer Wi-Fi for those who want to bring a laptop or tablet,” he said. “Although we are a hospital-based service, we try to keep it as un-hospital like as we can.”
Dr. Ted Daughety, who has more than 25 years of experience treating sleep patients, is the medical director at the institute. He is board certified in sleep medicine, critical care and pulmonology. Dr. Daughety is in the clinic regularly, along with Rhonda Schenk-Pitts, advanced practice registered nurse.
A physician’s referral is necessary for sleep testing at home and at HaysMed; insurance often covers most services.
For more information, contact the institute by calling (785) 623-5373.
FHSU wrestling picked 3rd in coaches preseason poll
FHSU Athletics
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State Wrestling was picked third in the 2015-16 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll, released on Wednesday (Oct. 28). The Tigers tied for third in the voting with Central Oklahoma, each with 15 votes.
Nebraska-Kearney has been selected as the unanimous favorite to win the dual title this year. The Lopers received a maximum amount of 25 points in the poll (since coaches cannot vote for their own team). Last year’s dual champion Lindenwood was selected second with 19 votes, while the Tigers and Bronchos tied in the voting at 15. Fort Hays State took third alone in the conference last year, while UCO finished fourth.
The Tigers return three national qualifiers from last year’s squad, which includes Jon Inman, Noah Killip and Bradley Little. The Tigers had three champions at the MIAA Championships. FHSU placed fifth in Super Regional 4 last year with four national qualifiers. Trey Page was the lone Tiger to reach All-American status last year at heavyweight, placing third nationally with a record of 48-3.
Below is the 2015-16 MIAA Preseason Wrestling Coaches Poll.
2015-16 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Nebraska-Kearney (5) 25
2. Lindenwood 19
T3. Fort Hays State 15
T3. Central Oklahoma (1) 15
5. Central Missouri 11
6. Newman 5
Obama administration looks to new rules to curb student debt
The Associated Press
The Obama administration is hoping new regulations will reduce the amount of debt college students accrue and make it easier for them to repay their loans once they graduate.
A pair of rules the Department of Education finalized on Tuesday restrict the way bank cards can be used to distribute financial aid and expand eligibility for a program that ties loan payments to the borrower’s income.
The first regulation takes aim at the debit and prepaid cards more schools are using to distribute aid.
The Government Accountability Office has said the convenience the cards offer has been offset in some cases by excessive user fees.
The second rule will allow anyone meeting certain low-income requirements to have their loan payments capped at 10 percent of their annual discretionary earnings, an option previously available only to recent students.
FHSU football holds weekly football press conference
Fort Hays State Weekly Football Press Conference
October 27, 2015
Fort Hays State head football coach Chris Brown along with select players met with members of the media on Tuesday. The 5-3 Tigers will be trying to bounce back from their loss at No. 2 Northwest Missouri State when they host winless Nebraska-Kearney Satudray at Lewis Field. Kickoff is at 2:37 p.m. for the MIAA TV Network Game of the Week.
Head coach Chris Brown
Bandit back Daniel Lindsey
Running back Derek Kendall-Campbell
Center Colby Hamel
Golf tournament raises funds for DSNWK group homes
DSNWK
Organizers of the Esther McMurtrie Memorial Golf Tournament are pleased to announce that approximately $11,000 was raised from the event for Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas.
The 4-person scramble tournament was held Friday, September 25, at the Ellis Golf Club and organized by “Friends of DSNWK”. Proceeds are being used to benefit several DSNWK group homes.
DSNWK serves people with developmental disabilities in the 18 counties of northwest Kansas.
Brownback response to 2015 school scores report
Office of the Governor
TOPEKA – Governor Sam Brownback today issued a statement following the release of National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores for K-12 schools across the nation. Results show test scores across the nation, including in Kansas, are lower than in 2013. NAEP assessments are conducted every two years using a random sample of 4th and 8th grade students in each state.
“Today’s NAEP scores reflect the need for real education reform to benefit our students. This is a complex issue with no single cause or solution and today’s results confirm a trend showing that even though education funding has increased by more than $1 billion over the past decade, NAEP scores have remained largely flat.
“During my campaign, I called for a renewed emphasis on improving student performance in science, engineering, technology and math (STEM) disciplines. Today’s results underscore the importance of those efforts. We will continue to work toward educational reform that includes the innovative programs, collaborations and strategic investments that best serve our Kansas students.
“While our Kansas schools remain above the national average, we can and should do more. We want our students to excel and have the skills they need to succeed in school and life in the 21st century. To do that, we must work to get more dollars into the classroom and into the infrastructure our teachers need to improve student performance, particularly in math. We need flexibility at the local level to address students’ needs, and we should support the great efforts of the thousands of teachers who work every day to help give our students opportunity for a brighter future.”
Mountain lion carcass found near Dodge City
DODGE CITY, Kan. (AP) — The recent discovery of a dead mountain lion in western Kansas brings to five the number of mountain lion confirmations in the state since August.
The state Department of Wildlife Parks and Tourism says before 2007, Kansas went more than a century without a confirmed wild mountain sighting. But there have been 14 confirmations since 2007.
The Wichita Eagle reports the previous four confirmations this year have been trail camera photos, sightings and videos. A landowner near Dodge City contacted the department last week after finding an underweight dead mountain lion in a shed.
The department says Kansas is one of many states to have increased mountain lion confirmations over about the past decade. It’s thought many of the cats have wandered from South Dakota or the Rocky Mountains.